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ZANU PF Manicaland leaders iron out differences

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ZANU PF Manicaland province is racing to defuse tension among warring factions ahead of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s visit tomorrow

ZANU PF Manicaland province is racing to defuse tension among warring factions ahead of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s visit tomorrow as the provincial leadership make a spirited campaign to bus 20 000 supporters to the venue.

BY OBEY MANAYITI

Party provincial secretary for administration Kenneth Saruchera said each district has been tasked with organising its own transport and food.

Grace is expected to address Zanu PF supporters at Cashel Valley in Chimanimani where the ruling party is trying to revive horticultural activities in the area.

The leaders reportedly recently clashed over Grace’s venue, with one group linked to politburo member Oppah Muchinguri preferring the rally to take place at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare. The group supporting acting provincial chairman Samuel Undenge and linked to Grace herself, reportedly finally prevailed after President Robert Mugabe’s intervention.

Sources said efforts were being made to defuse tension among the leaders and encourage them to work together to make the visit successful.

“According to my own estimation, we are looking at 20 000 people from all the districts. Logistics for transport and food are being made at district level,” Saruchera said.

He said preparations were going on smoothly, adding “hurdles’ were ironed out during Sunday’s provincial co-ordinating committee meeting where rival youth camps nearly exchanged blows.

Asked who would pay for the transportation, Saruchera said they would follow their “normal practice” whereby district leaders had the onus of ensuring all logistics are secured.

Several officials were, however, reportedly going out of their way to ensure a bumper crowd.

“I will provide five haulage trucks for my constituency and I am expecting a big number to come,” said Mutasa North MP Luke Masamvu.

Masamvu said because of mistrust whereby people were concocting allegations that some officials were trying to sabotage the event, he would be comfortable with providing food for people from his constituency than having “a public one”.

Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba said he had already secured five buses for his constituency though people would have to part with $8 for a return trip.

“Manicaland is intact. These are people who want to divide us. But we will not be intimidated by a plastic knife. In my constituency (Buhera South), we are having five buses and imagine what will come from other constituencies,” he said.

“Already in my constituency people are jostling to book a place on the bus. They are paying $4 to the venue and $4 back home. You will be surprised by the convoy. I am appealing to all the people in Manicaland to attend.”

Chinotimba said war vets and war collaborators who would have failed to get transport money should walk to the venue.

Reports have been rife in the faction-ridden province of backbiting and gossiping, all in a bid to get the First Lady’s attention.